What is Considered Speeding?

Speed is a contributing factor in approximately 26% of all traffic fatalities in America. High speeds make a crash more likely to occur because it takes longer to stop or slow down. They also make collisions more deadly because crash energy increases exponentially as speeds increase. Speeding endangers the lives of the speeder and other roadway users. Speeding is usually defined as driving in excess of the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions and can have dangerous consequences including:

  • Reducing a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway;
  • Extending the distance traveled before a vehicle can stop;
  • Increasing the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard;
  • Increasing the risk of crashes and injuries because other vehicles and pedestrians may not be able to judge distance accurately.

According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN), there were nearly 23,000 speeding-related crashes in Tennessee from 2017 to 2019. 36% of those crashes involved drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 years old. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office strives to reduce serious injuries and fatal crashes by educating the public on safe driving behaviors. Continue reading for more information and resources about speeding.

Tennessee Speeding Laws

The following statutes govern the establishment of speed limits in the State of Tennessee:

  • 55-8-152 Speed Limits – Penalties.
  • 55-8-153 Establishment of Speed Zones.
  • 55-8-156 Special Speed Limitations – Penalties.

Tennessee Code Annotated sets statutory maximum speeds at 70 MPH for interstate highways, 65 MPH for all other public roads (TCA §55-8-152). The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has authority to reduce the speed limit on highways on the state transportation system below the statutory maximums (TCA §55-8- 153). Municipalities are granted authority to lower the speed limits on any road within their jurisdiction, except for controlled access highways (TCA §55-8-153), but the speed may not exceed 55 MPH. Municipalities and counties have authority to set school speed limits in certain circumstances (TCA §55-8-152). The TDOT has authority to set speed limits for bridges in Tennessee (TCA §55-8-156). In order to establish a limit lower than the statutory limit, an engineering investigation is required.

Source (TN.gov)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has taken care in the preparation of this FAQ, but the information it contains does not necessarily describe every situation you may encounter. 

What is the purpose of speed limits?

Speed limit signs are placed along roads and highways to alert drivers to the maximum speed they are allowed to travel on that roadway. Every one mile per hour (mph) reduction in vehicle speeds on urban streets results in a six percent decrease in traffic fatalities. Lower speed limits reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries for the following reasons.

  • Driving at high speeds can result in tunnel vision and decreased depth perception for the driver. At lower speeds, drivers have a wider field of vision and are more likely to notice other road-users.
  • At lower speeds, even if a crash does occur, the consequences will be less severe, especially if it involves a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist.
  • Driving at lower speeds enables drivers to stop within a shorter distance. The stopping distance of a vehicle is a combination of the distance travelled during the driver’s reaction time and the distance it takes for the car to stop after the brakes are applied. At higher speeds, a car travels further during this reaction time and the stopping distance is greater. This affects the rate of momentum at the point of a crash, and therefore the possibility of survival.

Source (World Resources Institute)

Why is speeding so dangerous?

Speeding drivers are almost three times more likely to be involved in fatal or serious injury crashes. Speeding threatens the safety of everyone around you, lowers your reaction time, increases the risk of losing control of the vehicle, and reduces the effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.

What should I do if someone is speeding around me?
  • If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by.
  • Give speeding drivers plenty of space. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicle more easily.
  • Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving, use judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
  • Call local law enforcement if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.
What is the purpose of the HOV lane?
Since 1993, Tennessee has used high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes as a tool to promote ridesharing to reduce congestion on urban interstates. The central concept for HOV lanes is to move more people rather than more cars. Each vehicle that travels in an HOV lane must carry the minimum number of people posted on the entrance signs. In Tennessee, that means at least two people. Exceptions include motorcycles and hybrid vehicles.

Source (TN.gov)

Why should I slow down in school zones?
Drivers must slow down in school zones when the school zone lights are flashing, because children may be present. School zones help protect children walking to and from schools. This lower speed limit reduces the risk and severity of a vehicle hitting a child.
What is the Tennessee Move Over Law?
  • Tennessee’s "Move Over Law," which passed in 2006, requires motorists to move over into the adjacent lane of traffic, when safe to do so, or alternatively to slow down for emergency vehicles. In 2011, the law was expanded to include utility service equipment to the list of vehicles for which motorists are required to either slow down or move over.
  • Tennessee was the 30th state to establish a “Move Over Law” which creates a safety zone to protect police, firefighters, other emergency personnel, and utility workers.
  • The penalty for violating the "Move Over Law" in Tennessee is a maximum fine of up to $500 and possibly up to 30 days in jail.
  • Source (TN.gov)

Slow Down Tennessee

“Slow Down Tennessee” is a campaign led by the THSO to reduce speeding-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The THSO partners with various state and local agencies to increase public education, awareness, and enforcement through a multi-pronged approach. Law enforcement agencies statewide conduct high visibility enforcement, increase saturation patrols, and utilize other tactics to curb speeding drivers. Outdoor signage is used to display “Slow Down Tennessee” as visual reminders for speeding drivers. This includes the use of large banners and digital message boards. The public is encouraged to participate by using #SlowDownTN on social media to help spread awareness. For more information, visit www.tntrafficsafety.org/slow

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Contact: Rhiannon Chambers